You must use either {RANDOM} or {COUNTER} in your template; these fields guarantee that you will not create a duplicate Student ID number.

{RANDOM} inserts a random number. If you want a random 5-digit number, enter {RANDOM:5}, if a random 7-digit, then {RANDOM:7}, etc. The maximum length is 10.

{COUNTER} adds 1 to a sequential counter. Specify a fixed length number with (for example) {COUNTER:4}—which would give you 0014, 0015, etc. If the counter exceeds the fixed length the number will get longer.

{YEAR} gives you the current year in 4 digits (2017); {YEAR:2} gives you the last two digits of the same (17).

{MONTH} gives you the current month in 2 digits (May = 05).

{DAY} adds the current calendar day in 2 digits (May 4 = 04).

{LAST} adds the student's entire last name (SELKIRK); while {LAST:3} gives you, for example, the first three letters (SEL). If a name is too short it will be padded on the right with zeros.

Any text, characters, or spaces that isn't inside {brackets} will just pass straight through.

When you're done, scroll back to the top of the page and click Save Settings.

To test the ID number template, add a new test student and have a look at the ID number Populi generates for him. Return here to adjust and tweak the template as necessary.

To return to the default, delete the entire template.

Now that you've set up this new ID number template, all new student ID numbers will follow it until someone returns here and adjusts it.

Examples

You admit new student Rael Alexander on June 15, 2017. Here are a few examples of how her student ID number could look: